Many Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after LUFC Data shared stats highlighting the “frightening” dominance of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
United have competed in 33 Championship fixtures this season, in which we have won 17, drawn eight and lost eight whilst scoring 48 goals to the 30 Kiko Casilla has conceded.
To achieve those results and a haul of 59 points – enough to sit second in the standings, four points from league leaders West Bromwich Albion and three clear of third-placed Fulham – the Whites have needed to create a total of 543 shots, play 414 key passes, make 294 successful dribbles (60.8%), 582 tackles (62.8%), 341 interceptions and win 572 of 1,213 aerial duels, per WhoScored.
LUFC Data have now shared that our combined tally of 543 shots after 33 second-tier matches is eight more than we achieved at this stage of last season on route to the Play-Offs, but have only turned 170 of our efforts on target to the 172 achieved last term.
We have also made more successful crosses this season to last (182 to 171), more successful take-ons (294 to 224), hold a lower expected goals against (29.6 to 32.9) and have faced fewer shots (191 to 203).
Should we be further clear of the Play-Offs?
Yes
No
Our dominance against the opposition is also clear to see when the numbers are laid out, with LUFC Data noting further that United have completed 7,680 more passes and created 223 more chances to score than all of our opponents have combined when facing Bielsa’s men in 2019/20.
The “absolutely crazy” stats have been earning a raft of reactions on social media.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Should have run away with the league long time ago. Just aint efficient enough in front of goal.
How it just ended #lufc 1-0 BristolCity last weekend nobody knows https://t.co/OFIWeIYgXw— Emil Ali Buran (@BuranEmil) February 19, 2020
These stats just makes me more depressed. We should be out of sight running away with the championship right now. Instead we’re battling for top 6 spot and playoffs.
— Wai Lai (@wailaiMA) February 20, 2020
2 out of three shots off target
4 out of 5 poor crossesand still playing teams off the park, and pushing for the top spot!
What could Bielsa do with better quality?
— Jonathan (@Leedsjohnlufc) February 19, 2020
If we were lethal up top, promotion would have been sealed already, right?
— Kevin Moore (@keeevvviiin) February 19, 2020
Imagine if we had a goalscorer
— Jason LUFC (@jasonoflynn11) February 19, 2020
Combined? That’s absolutely crazy!
— George Withey (@withey_george) February 19, 2020
That’s frightening as it is scary because thinking with the right fire power *and not having a pop at Bamford* as the whole team as a rule are missing good chances on a regular basis – with a proven 20/30 goal a season striker we could have promoted mid/late april?
— Rev D. Scour (@DavidScourfiel9) February 19, 2020
That’s great but you need to score goals to win games and competitions
— Jim McNicholls (@JimMcNicholls) February 19, 2020
I’m going to be captain obvious here but if we were even 15% more efficient in front of goal this league would be a procession and our football would get the plaudits it deserves.
That’s my only frustration.
We could be miles ahead
— Bielsa’s Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) February 19, 2020
— Adam Cox (@8ADC) February 19, 2020
In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit has claimed Bielsa has misused a £32.5k-p/w ace this season.